What to Plant in August
New Orleans, LA · Zone 9a
Last frost: Feb 15
Frost-free days: 293
Late summer is prime time for starting your fall garden. Sow cool-season crops indoors or direct sow fast-maturing varieties. The heat will ease soon.
August at a Glance
Indoor
Transplant
Direct Sow
Start Indoors 21
Start these seeds indoors under grow lights or on a sunny windowsill.
Plant now
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sunflower
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Zucchini
Jan 1 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Brussels Sprouts
Jun 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–110 days
Parsley
Jun 24 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Celery
Jul 17 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
80–120 days
Kale
Jul 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Swiss Chard
Aug 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
50–60 days
Later this month
Broccoli
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–100 days
Cabbage
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Cauliflower
Aug 17 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
55–100 days
Transplant 18
Move these seedlings from indoors to your garden beds.
Chives
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
60–90 days
Lavender
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
90–120 days
Mint
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Oregano
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
60–90 days
Rosemary
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
80–120 days
Sage
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
75–90 days
Thyme
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
70–90 days
Artichoke
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
85–100 days
Leek
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
90–150 days
Onion
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
100–120 days
Strawberry
Jan 1 – Dec 31
4 per sq ft
60–90 days
Sunflower
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–100 days
Squash
Jan 24 – Aug 23
1 per sq ft
45–65 days
Tomato
Jan 24 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
65–80 days
Growing guide
Zucchini
Jan 24 – Aug 31
1 per sq ft
45–60 days
Cucumber
Feb 15 – Aug 16
2 per sq ft
50–70 days
Growing guide
Okra
Mar 9 – Aug 8
1 per sq ft
50–65 days
Basil
May 1 – Aug 31
4 per sq ft
25–35 days
Direct Sow 5
Plant these seeds directly into the soil outdoors.
Carrot
Jan 1 – Aug 8
16 per sq ft
70–80 days
Garlic
Jan 1 – Dec 31
9 per sq ft
180–240 days
Potato
Jan 1 – Dec 31
1 per sq ft
70–150 days
Dill
Feb 15 – Oct 8
4 per sq ft
40–60 days
Beans (Bush)
Feb 15 – Aug 23
9 per sq ft
50–60 days
August Gardening Tips
- Start Zucchini, Broccoli, Cabbage indoors now to give them a head start before transplanting outside.
- Tomato, Cucumber, Squash can be transplanted outside this month. Harden off seedlings over 5–7 days before planting out.
- Direct sow Beans (Bush), Carrot, Potato straight into the garden — no transplanting needed.
- Count backwards from your first frost date to determine the last safe date for starting fall crops.
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